Wield a Dwarven Axe with The Bearded Axe of Gimli Prop Replica

Deep beneath the mountains of Middle-Earth, the Dwarves delved deep into the foundations of the world. Great cities, like Dwarrowdelf, were hewn from the stone, creating vibrant, living works of art. In Lonely Mountain, in Moria, in the Iron Hills, in the Glittering Caves, the Dwarves thrived. Great miners and craftsmen of the mountain halls, they caved intricate weapons from rare metals, they forged impenetrable armor from mithril and iron. Where Elvish weaponry was known for its magic, Dwarven weaponry was renowned for its hardiness. Carefully wrought in ancient forges, strong enough to withstand dragonfire, Dwarven axes were not just weapons to be wielded in battle; they were heirlooms, marked with Cirth runes, to be passed on from father to son, generation to generation.

In the annals of the Dwarves, names have redounded through the ages. The great Durin the Deathless, one of the Seven Fathers of the Dwarves, woken by Aule during the First Age, the founder of Moria. Thorin Oakenshield, who reconquered the Lonely Mountain from the great worm Smaug with his twelve Dwarven companions and the Hobbit Bilbo Baggins. Gimli, the son of Gloin, one of Thorin Oakenshield's companions, who took arms during the War of the Ring and became one of the companions to the Ringbearer, Frodo Baggins, on his quest to destroy the One Ring and free Middle-Earth from the evil and tyranny of Sauron.

The exploits of Gimli during the final years of the Third Age are known today to scholars from the Red Book of Westmarch, and better known to the layperson through J.R.R. Tolkien's translation as The Lord of the Rings and Peter Jackson's film adaptations of Professor Tolkien's book. As portrayed by Welsh actor John-Rhys Davies in the films, Gimli was a Dwarf of stout heart and impeccable fighting skills. Armed with a sequence of axes, Gimli would wade into battle against any foe — goblins, Orcs, Uruk-hai, Easterlings, even the Nazgul themselves. Heirlooms of his Dwarven ancestors, these axes brought Gimli renown on the battlefield and helped to turn the tide of battle against the encroaching darkness of the dark lord Sauron.

This spring, United Cutlery brings collectors an heirloom of their own as they present the Lord of the Rings: The Bearded Axe of Gimli Prop Replica (DEC091373J, $102.00). Utilizing the designs of the artisans at WETA Workshops, the New Zealand effects house founded by director Peter Jackson, United Cutlery's axe replica recreates in every detail one of the axes wielded by the dwarf. The axe measures 34" overall, with its handle wrapped in leather, then aged and weathered to give it the appearance of many long years of use. The axe's blade measures 8" blade, and features a "hook" design, which was used to "catch" an opponent's blade, break it, and turn their momentum against them for a counterstrike. This piece comes with a display plaque and a Certificate of Authenticity.

Jackson's Lord of the Rings films, nearly a decade after their first release, remain immensely popular with audiences, and Tolkien's novels continue to sell in the hundreds of thousands each year as new readers discover the magic and wonder of Middle-Earth. In April, Jackson's film trilogy will be released for the first time in high-definition Blu-Ray, and filming with commence in the spring for director Guillermo del Toro's two-part adaptation of The Hobbit with Sir Ian McKellan reprising his role as Gandalf the Grey from Jackson's films. Lord of the Rings fandom is fervent and devoted, and United Cutlery's Bearded Axe of Gimli replica will find a cherished home this spring with customers who have heard the song of Middle-Earth.

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